Jean Baudrillard, the French philosopher who put postmodernism on the map (which isn't the territory) died yesterday at the age of 77 after a lengthy illness. Baudrillard was known for his deconstruction and analysis of global culture in the last decade of the 20th century and what has come to pass so far of the 21st century and the statement that left many scratching their heads - that nothing is, in fact real because we no longer understand that there are choices beyond those They tell us we have. Possibly his most famous essay is entitled On Nihilism (from Simulacra and Simulation), and briefly appeared in a certain movie.

Let's face it - Baudrillard's work is as dense as depleted uranium and either you love it or you hate it. That said, it's worth reading just so that you can get yet another perspective on the world in which you live.